Hey there -- First post to this board. Hope you guys can help with some advice.
Two weeks ago, I dropped off my bike at the LBS for a tune-up and a change to a bigger cassette in preparation for a hilly race I've entered in mid-September.
I got an estimate of $240, which seemed a little pricey, especially since my bike, a Trek 1200 2003, cost me $400 when I bought it used six years ago.
The $240 included a tune-up, new handlebar tape, a new cassette, a new chain because of the new cassette, and a new front brake. They would also install new pedals, which I had purchased.
I probably could have done it all for cheaper, but I bit the bullet because I wanted to be prepared for the race, and I was going to be out of town for two weeks, which would be a perfect time for my bike to be worked on.
When I returned on Monday, the bike hadn't been worked on, and the mechanic told me he thought I'd be back on Wednesday.
I really wanted to ride, and was a bit disappointed, but I said ok when he said he'd be done with it on Tuesday.
The mechanic called me later on Monday and said the work was done, but that he didn't have the cassette he based my estimate on, so he installed a more expensive one, bumping the total to $285. He just did it -- didn't ask.
I thought this was a greater offense, because the bike had been with them for two weeks, during which they could have ordered the part. I decided to stay positive -- maybe the work would be worth it.
I got the bike back today, and it's cleaned up quite a bit, but I'm not sure it's worth the $285 I paid.
The biggest thing for me is, the new cassette is the same 9-speed I had on my bike.
It's an Ultegra, whereas I had a Tiagra, but it seems like I paid an extra $100 for a new cassette and $50 for a new chain for no reason. He didn't even return the old cassette.
I was thinking about getting a new bike at the end of the season anyhow, so I really didn't want to spend this much to upgrade.
I'm reluctant to make a big stink because the mechanic has been personable so far, and this is the closest LBS to me, so I sometimes join their group rides. I've been getting better by riding with them, but I also get dropped at times, and there are only so many local routes, so I don't necessarily need to ride with them. There are other bike shops in the area, but they're farther away.
I went to them for my repair because I know the mechanic a little from the group rides, and the previous repair I had them do -- a simple rear brake change -- was reasonable. Maybe it was a little on the pricey side, but the LBS is in a pricey location.
It seems like the right thing to do is complain, but I want to make sure I'm not doing it out of ignorance. As a business person, I would like to know when one of my customers feels wronged. So that's why I'm writing here -- what do you think? Am I justified in my concern, and if so, what do you think I should do about it?
Two weeks ago, I dropped off my bike at the LBS for a tune-up and a change to a bigger cassette in preparation for a hilly race I've entered in mid-September.
I got an estimate of $240, which seemed a little pricey, especially since my bike, a Trek 1200 2003, cost me $400 when I bought it used six years ago.
The $240 included a tune-up, new handlebar tape, a new cassette, a new chain because of the new cassette, and a new front brake. They would also install new pedals, which I had purchased.
I probably could have done it all for cheaper, but I bit the bullet because I wanted to be prepared for the race, and I was going to be out of town for two weeks, which would be a perfect time for my bike to be worked on.
When I returned on Monday, the bike hadn't been worked on, and the mechanic told me he thought I'd be back on Wednesday.
I really wanted to ride, and was a bit disappointed, but I said ok when he said he'd be done with it on Tuesday.
The mechanic called me later on Monday and said the work was done, but that he didn't have the cassette he based my estimate on, so he installed a more expensive one, bumping the total to $285. He just did it -- didn't ask.
I thought this was a greater offense, because the bike had been with them for two weeks, during which they could have ordered the part. I decided to stay positive -- maybe the work would be worth it.
I got the bike back today, and it's cleaned up quite a bit, but I'm not sure it's worth the $285 I paid.
The biggest thing for me is, the new cassette is the same 9-speed I had on my bike.
It's an Ultegra, whereas I had a Tiagra, but it seems like I paid an extra $100 for a new cassette and $50 for a new chain for no reason. He didn't even return the old cassette.
I was thinking about getting a new bike at the end of the season anyhow, so I really didn't want to spend this much to upgrade.
I'm reluctant to make a big stink because the mechanic has been personable so far, and this is the closest LBS to me, so I sometimes join their group rides. I've been getting better by riding with them, but I also get dropped at times, and there are only so many local routes, so I don't necessarily need to ride with them. There are other bike shops in the area, but they're farther away.
I went to them for my repair because I know the mechanic a little from the group rides, and the previous repair I had them do -- a simple rear brake change -- was reasonable. Maybe it was a little on the pricey side, but the LBS is in a pricey location.
It seems like the right thing to do is complain, but I want to make sure I'm not doing it out of ignorance. As a business person, I would like to know when one of my customers feels wronged. So that's why I'm writing here -- what do you think? Am I justified in my concern, and if so, what do you think I should do about it?